Morning journal and courier., 1887-06-18
SELECTMAN LOUIS FELDMAN.
His Acceptance of the Monument Fol
no

His Acceptance of the Monument For
the Town.
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen of the Sol
diers and Sailors Monument Committee
This great gathering is here to do honor to
the nations heroes, the patriots of 1776,
1912, 1916 and 1861. We recall to-day in af-
fectionate remem brance those who establish
ed the republic, those who SO CALAMITY de-
Tended it and those who maintained and pre-
served it. But while on occasions like this
our thoughts dwell on the deeds of the SOL
diers and sailors of the whole country, we
are here to- day to do special homage to the
sons of our own town who fought for free
dom, for justice and for union on land and
sea. They not only risked life and limb in
our defense, but endured the hardships and
prison, where sufferings and dangers were
often greater than the battlefield itself
Though these trials were not unknown, they
pever hindered the men of this town from
pressing forward to fill the gaps in the ranks
where their brothers and friends had fallen.
No drawer men are known to history than the
citizen soldiers of this republic, so many of
whom belonged to this ancient town.
Though some went from us to return no
more, others passed through the dangers of
war and still live honored lives in the land
they helped to save. To you, survivors of
ence to-day, the town of New Haven extends
her hearty welcome and rejoices that she may
dedicate this monument at ones to you and
to the memory of those who passed away.
May long and prosperous life, and an hon
ored and happy old age be the lot of every
surviving soldier and sailor whose deeds we
this day commemorRte
1t was eminently proper that this monu-
ment should have been erected by New Ha-
ven as town. It was in the town meeting
that our citizens assembled during the dark
days of our great struggles, after the manner
and provided for the safety of their homes
and the defence of our country. 1t was in
the town meeting that the money was voted
to support the Union in the time of its peril,
and there the stirring words were spoken
which strengthened the courage and patriot
ism of our people. 1t was fitting, then, that
the old town government, which mas done so
much to develop and maintain the liberty
and institutions of our State and country,
should recognize the valor and perpetuate
the memory of the men who went forth from
this community to fight and suffer, and if
need be, to die, to maintain the Integrity of
the Union and the safety of all that the PEG
pie of New England have held dear ever since
they first landed on these shores.
The town of New Haven imposed upon
you, Mr.. Chairman and gentlemen of the
committee, the task of carrying its purpose
into ERECT and erecting this monument to
commemorate the services of her sons in four
great wars. Your work is now finished, and
in the presence of this vast concourse of Our
citizens, by the authority of the board of Sc
lectmen and in the name and on behalf of
the town of New Haven, accept this monu-
ment and approve all you have done. In
behalf of the town I say to you, Mr.. Chair
man, who have done so much at all times to
advance the best interest of this community,
that we are deeply indebted to you and your
honorable associates on the committee for
the time and thought which you have given
and the zeal which you have shown in the
accomplishment of your task. In the name
of our citizens I acknowledge with gratitude
the fidelity with which you have SO success
fully carried out the trust reposed in you.
Permit me also, gentlemen, personally to
congratulate you on the good taste you have
shown on the beauty of the monument
which you have reared, and on your judi
cious choice of its location.
Here may this shaft stand forever, within
sight of the homes which our soldiers and
sailors defended, and the prosperity and
happiness which their sacrifices made posi-
BILE! Here may it remain to associate with
the beauty and grandeur of nature in the
minds of all who visit this place, the noblest
deeds and thoughts and aspirations which
have stirred and inspired the people of our
common country
The next exercise on the programme was
the song, f'The Red, White and Blue" by
the Memorial Guard:
Town Agent James Reynolds presented the
monument to the city on behalf of the town
as follows: